BIG (Nervous) Brilliant News ~ My First Book!!

Because really, I don't think it's humanly possible for me to contain it all for even a nano-second longer. And anyway, a few of my eagle eyed readers have already noticed a certain 'pre-order your copy now!' listing on a rather popular online book depository and have been emailing me to check whether their eyes have been deceiving them. I can confirm, they haven't been. And so it's with a *big ball of nervousness and excitement stuck in my throat* that I can share with you…

I have just written my first book – I'm going to become a published Author!

…as in, an actual, proper, 176 page (one hundred and seventy six!) hard-back book that has been designed to inspire brides and wedding designers and suppliers and that is being published by a big publishing company and everything!

It is the fifth book in the fabulous and hugely successful 'Style Me Vintage' series (see the new retro look-book, which focuses on vintage inspired hair, beauty and clothes) to be published by Pavillion, an imprint of Anova Books. Only this book is a little longer than the previous editions in this series…

"Harking back to styles of previous decades is often the basis for a trulystylish wedding, but it can be difficult to get all the details right, without a little bit of guidance.This beautiful and accessible book looks at how to source and puttogether bridal outfits and event styling for a themed occasion,from the Edwardian era, through the decades to the 1970s.From the dress itself, to accessories, flowers, make-up and hair,even extra details such as venue, cake, stationery, photography,and entertainment are covered."

I have lost cound the number of
times I have day dreamed about writing my own book. I can't believe that on that wet and windy day on Christmas Eve 2007, when my husband proposed to me in Whitby, that almost five years later, I'd be living and fulfilling my dreams in every way. I have so very much to thank my readers for, and all those people who I've connected with through Love My Dress who have opened up amazing opportunities (here's looking at you, Naomi Thompson). Please, excuse me for saying, but I really am bursting with pride right now. Pride, and a big dose of nervousness of course!

I probably would have kept things under wraps just a little
longer, but, with every site in the world being linked to social media these days, including online book stores, I was fearful that the odd Facebook 'like' here or there would let my secret out before I'd had chance to make a proper announcement, and so, I gained permission from Anova to share my exciting news with you all today. I'm not linking to any pre-sales just yet, because I'd rather not encourage them until a little closer to book launch time. I really do hope you understand, though please, by all means – if you're an eager beaver, you can easily locate the pre-sale entry on sites like Amazon.

Below, sneak previews of content from my upcoming book, 'Style Me Vintage: Weddings' – some of you may notice these from my Instagram feed…

There are so many wonderful and hard working souls that I need to thank and that have been absolutely pivotal to bringing this project to fruition, and trust me, I'll be doing all that in due course when I blog about my book project more fully. For now, I would like to express my immense love and gratitude to the following people who have worked so incredibly hard in helping me to create a beautiful, inspirational resource that I am so incredibly proud of;

Some Instagram images I took on set at our photoshoot venue, Dalston Heights, East London

I also need to thank the many, many contributors who loaned their beautiful dresses, jewellery, accessories, shoes, props, skill, time and expertise and allowed reproduction of their photography to help make Style Me Vintage: Weddings look out of this world. You are many in number and I will be thanking you all and giving you proper recognition in due course, but for now, please accept this humble blog post as a sign of how incredibly grateful and in awe of you all I am;

I must also make special thanks to Emma Woodhouse, Laura Caudery and Pennny of Tigerlily Weddings for believing in me and for regularly checking in on my progress and offering kind words of encouragement (and the occasional boot up the backside) and on that note, lord only knows what the heck I'd have done without my dear lovely Mum and also my lovely Mother and Father in Law.

Below, my husband steaming dresses on set, ready for shooting, on set at Dalston Heights, where we shot for 3 long days. Both photographs below are Copyright (c) 2012, Debs Ivelja

The gorgeous PhotographerJoanna Brown taking a rest in
between 3 very long and exhausting days of non-stop shooting, with Lizzie Jones of Wedding Yurts, who makes the best tea and raw chocolate in the whole of the
universe.

So with the Gwyneth Paltrows now over and my secret now out, may I breath a sigh of relief!! I stayed up way too late hovering over the 'schedule' button on this post last night – so intense were my nerves and excitement at sharing my big news with you all, and so by the time you are reading this, I'll hopefully be catching a mini lie-in before another crazy day of book launch planning takes shape. Why, you didn't think I'd launch my first book without a party, did you?

Watch out for more posts from me, featuring more news about my book, book giveaways, book content previews and details of how you can pre-order your own copy.

I’m so pleased the secret is finally out! Not that I was having trouble keeping it but I have been so excited to congratulate you at becoming the first UK wedding blogger to achieve the coveted title of real ‘Author.’
Congratulations Annabel – I can’t wait to actually see the fruits of your labour
(Ditto to the rest of the team too – the sneak peek images are fabulous.)
xo

Marvellous news Annabel….who better to write such a book! So looking forward to reading it, I’m sure lots of my future brides-to-be will find it a huge source of inspiration, and thankyou so much for inviting me to contribute….very honoured to be included in such an illustrious roll-call!
Now that is what I call a good start to the day :)xx

So incredibly proud of you! Just like Love My Dress, your first book (there will be more, I know it!) will be an amazing resource and showcase of fabulous suppliers. You have worked incredibly hard to make all your dreams a reality and deserve your success. I can’t wait to go and buy a copy in a shop and proudly say that my friend wrote it! Well done Mrs B XxX

Thank you lovely Charis. I sure did, they were totally amazing to work with too, we had such a hoot (we also worked our socks off and I think all of us collapsed in a heap of exhaustion after day 3!) xxx

Ah at last the secret is out! Seriously burting with pride reading this, it was an immense experience that I am struggling to find the right words to describe it. Working with you all has been the highlight of my career as a wedding planner and stylist, so much talent and inspiration in one room, so much creativity and above all passion. This is what it’s about folks.
Huge love to you for your hard work and dedication in presenting to the world a beautifully glamorous resource that I just know is going to inspire so many brides and other creatives working in this industry.
And thank-you Annabel for believing in us.
xxx

Congratulations Annabel!!! I just knew it was a book you were working on. Your way with words has kept me coming back daily to your blog a year after my own wedding. And this librarian definitely wants that book on her shelf. Go girl. X

This is fantastic news Annabel. I’ve only ever met you once, and yet I feel proud of you and the incredible team behind the scenes. Success like yours remind me that with passion and dedication anything is possible. So inspiring! Can’t wait to have my own copy! xx Betta

Well done mrs the time has come all of the late nights, and hard work have paid off. Glad to have been able to work with you on this one lady a lot of work but all worth it. It will be a big hit I’m sure there’s a lot of love going around today! zxxx

many, many congratulations and wishing that sales of the book rocket through the ceiling you write with
a sincere and sweet heart and that will surely come through in the book
Helena at Heavenly Vintage Brides

Annabel what lovely and exciting news, I can’t believe you’ve managed to keep it under wraps for so long Best wishes with the launch and what a proud moment it will be when you (and everyone else) has got their mitts on a copy xXx

Just seen this post, wow Annabel! What an incredible achievement! A huge congratulations, looks like it’s going to be a luxuriatingly gorgeous read, looking forward to getting my copy. Well done you xxxx

Many congratulations Annabel – I know how much love and passion(not to mention long, long hours of hard graft)you’ve put into this book. Your assembled team is incredible; I am sure you have created something very special here. I can’t wait to see the finished book. So impressed and pleased for you xxx

HUGE congratulations Annabel!! We’re glad the secret’s finally out! And we can’t wait to get our hands on a copy. We can only imagine the hard work that went in to it, looking forward to celebrating with you soon!
Kate & Mary x x

As an ordinary MoB who reads your blog daily from oop North, I am soo pleased for you. You obviously have lots of friends who are rooting for you, but us mortals not involved in The Wedding Business are delighted too! Just in time to read it before my daughter’s wedding! Eldon Square? I’d be there!

YES, now we can shout out loud and tell all! Annabel, a massive well done to all your hard work and dedication…dreams do come true! It was an honour to have been part of this fantastic book. Well done to the whole team who made this dream come true. X

Annabel, there couldn’t have been a more perfect step forward for Love My Dress – what a fabulous achievement, and I don’t doubt the book will be a beautiful thing that readers will be very proud to own.
Wow. Congratulations and good luck with the launch!
Claire xx

Congratulations! I’ve followed your blog every day since getting engaged eight months ago and this is my first comment on here, thought it was a good opportunity to say I love Love My Dress! Looking forward to seeing the book, you should be very proud!

I have just got home and been dying to read your blog all day and catch up on your mega news!! the photo shoot was such an amazing experience, to be surrounded by so much beauty, creativity and talent, I was buzzing for weeks afterwards. Thanks so much for letting me come and make tea Really looking forward to reading the book and wow all those amazing photos and of course the PARTY!! Well done you amazing and super lovey woman Xx

First of all I want to congratulate you for to become first UK wedding blogger . I have share your blog with my friends in Facebook and Twitter. I love your inspirational blog that provides extraordinary information. Thanks for post……

Congratulations – that an amazing achievement.
I know what you mean about sometimes needs a kick up the backside. Working for yourself requires so much discipline and it’s great to have friends that keep your dreams in mind and encourage you to achieve them.

Love My Dress® is an online world of wedding planning inspiration that embraces glamour and elegance and encourages sophistication and style, whilst remaining true to the love story behind every wedding.